Investigators said witnesses said they saw a man walk up to a silver sedan parked at the Touchdown Food Market on Old Dixie Highway about 10:45 p.m. They said the man pulled a handgun out of his waistband and fired at least seven shots at Robinson, who was seated in the passenger seat of the car.

The driver, a woman, tried to drive away but crashed in an intersection.

Police said the shooter fled on foot but appeared to have been picked up by another car.

"I don't know how somebody could just take somebody's life like that, just walk up to a car and gun them down like he's an animal," said Sharee Brooks-Whipple, Robinson's mother.

Brooks-Whipple said her son had recently turned his life around, joining church and getting a job as an armed security guard.

"About two months ago, he called and said he was ready to give his life over to Christ. He was tired of the street life, drinking, whatever. He just wanted to do right," she said.

Robinson left behind five children under the age of 6. His mother said she hopes witnesses will provide clues to police, and that his friends won't seek retribution.

"I don't want the violence to keep going on and on. I don't," said Brooks-Whipple.